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Manchester Alderman Patrick to announce mayoral run

By James Pindell, WMUR.com Political Reporter

Published On: Jan 15 2013 10:22:18 PM EST

MANCHESTER, N.H. -

Manchester Alderman Patrick Arnold will announce a bid for mayor on Wednesday, sources tell WMUR, in what would begin as a longshot bid to take on two-term incumbent Mayor Ted Gatsas, who is expected to seek re-election.

Manchester, along with most New Hampshire cities, hold elections this year. The mayor's race will be watched statewide this year not only because it involves the state's largest city, but also because if Gatsas wins, he could immediately launch a race for governor.

Arnold, a Democrat, was first elected to the board in 2009 and is in his second term. A native of Baltimore, Arnold moved to New Hampshire in 2006 to attend law school in Concord and to get involved in politics. He is currently a lawyer at Bakus, Meyer and Branch, LLP, in Manchester.

With the filing period not until June, an announcement for mayor in January is a bit early for the custom of Manchester politics. It could signal that he trying to scare off other opponents. He has hired Huck Montgomery to serve as a consultant on the campaign. Montgomery just ran the successfully campaign for Chris Pappas to the executive council.

Arnold reserved a website on Monday, arnoldformayor.com, according to web registration records.

While Arnold is a Democrat and Gatsas is a Republican, technically the election is non-partisan and the top two finishers for mayor in the September primary will continue on to the November general.

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